Sound travels slower through gases than liquids and solids because the molecules in gases are farther apart.

Here's why:

* Sound Transmission: Sound waves travel by vibrations that are passed from one molecule to the next.

* Density: The closer the molecules are to each other (i.e., the denser the material), the faster these vibrations can be transmitted.

* Gases vs. Liquids and Solids: Gas molecules are much farther apart than in liquids or solids. This means sound waves have to travel a greater distance between molecules in a gas, slowing down the transmission.

Think of it like a chain: The closer the links are in the chain, the faster a vibration will travel down the chain.